Chapter 286: Allies Are Meant to Be Used (4K)

"Cough cough cough… No!"

Regaining his senses, Herbert's scalp prickled as he looked at the two clearly displeased monster girls.

Shit, what did I just say?

Did I just blurt out everything I was thinking?

He nervously wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and forced a awkward smile at them.

Ahahaha… what a weather, what a cell!

I said "I want it all!" out loud, and that's exactly what I thought too.

I'm consistent inside and out.

My mouth means it, and my heart means it too.

But I never intended to be that arrogant!

I never meant to flip the table!

Herbert cleared his throat and chuckled nervously: "You two… uh, listen to me, I didn't mean it like that!"

This, that… cough, let me explain.

Freyme and Valentina looked at this shamelessly greedy human, exchanged a glance, then turned their heads away together and gave their response.

The sea witch snorted, the dragon exhaled.

"Hmph!"

"Hah!"

Don't think saying that will make us forgive you!

Do you think we're that easy to pacify?

Impossible!

In that moment, they formed a defensive alliance to jointly resist Herbert, this rotten guy.

Seeing the pouting "Heng and Ha Generals" glare at him, Herbert calmed down—his face still awkward, but his heart had regained its composure.

He even secretly rejoiced.

Good! Very good!

He wasn't some masochist who enjoyed being stared at with cold eyes; he'd simply confirmed one thing from their reactions.

These two only intended to use cold treatment to inflict psychological harm, not physical annihilation with hot weapons.

That meant—no life threat.

Doesn't this prove they still love me?

And if they still love me, then this situation isn't a big problem.

With my abilities, I can easily handle it!

Indeed, those who are loved always act with impunity.

【"Hmph."】

Nena Sha felt Herbert's emotions and internally sighed in exasperation.

【"…To be fair, my dear ally, you've really become shameless lately~"】

Am I imagining things?

Has this guy's skin gotten thicker?

The Trickster Lady missed the timid boy who, facing life-or-death crises, had strained every nerve and exhausted every trick to bargain with Him.

Back then, he was so adorable!

Wait… did this guy ever really be naive?

It felt like he'd always been a slab of meat that couldn't be chopped or hacked apart.

And after a few months, Herbert gradually perfected his skills, nearing total transformation into a carefree scoundrel.

What turned him into this?

Love, perhaps?

Indeed, "love" is not a good thing.

It's thoroughly rotten.

"Oh?"

Herbert finally heard the Trickster Lady's voice and immediately sneered inwardly: "Why the sudden appearance, old timer? How rare!"

Right, it was time for the blame-game segment: complain about your teammate doing nothing.

This match wasn't your fault, right. JPG

"When I was so confused just now, why did you stay silent? Couldn't you have lifted my spirits and guided this naive boy?"

Where the hell were you just now? You weren't even on Soul Street!

Nena Sha, why were you just watching?!

In response to Herbert's accusations, Nena Sha laughed cheerfully and retorted:

【"Oh? You needed my help? You didn't ask, so I didn't presume."】

Herbert complained she didn't act proactively; Nena Sha countered: why didn't you ask me?

Hmm~

Do I have to beg you to let me help you?

【"Besides, were you really confused? You just stumbled into that one's trap."】

In the Trickster Lady's view, Herbert had no reason to be confused.

A greedy creature like him would never choose between two extremes.

Impossible.

【"You greedy thing—you'll inevitably reach that conclusion~"】

Could there be another possibility?

No.

Hearing this, Herbert smiled inwardly, agreeing with her.

"Well, fair point."

【"Besides, how could you not understand my good intentions?"】

Nena Sha poked Herbert's soles with shadowy tentacles, scratching hard while muttering:

【"Don't you think—if I'd warned you, would your final decision truly be yours… or mine?"】

【"Do you want me to mold you into the person I want? I wouldn't mind—but is that the future you truly desire?"】

"Ah, well…"

Herbert awkwardly sniffed, his eyes flickering away—exactly the sign of guilt the two monster girls saw.

【"My ally…"】

Nena Sha 's voice, unusually low, carried a quiet sorrow as she whispered:

【"Understand this… losing yourself is the most terrifying thing."】

【"Whether mortal or god, once you lose your original self, you are already truly dead."】

Nena Sha 's words weren't unusual; similar accounts appeared in countless texts.

Many believed that when someone changed drastically after a trauma—becoming unlike their former self—they were already "dead."

For example—the once "weak" him is dead; the one alive now is the "even weaker" him!

Of course, this was mostly a poetic expression of regret.

And gods… were no exception.

For them, "death" wasn't metaphorical!

Gods could be consumed by their divine offices.

In this world, gods—aside from primordial deities—each had unique personalities, wills, and styles before becoming deities.

But when they ignited their divine flames, forged deep bonds with their offices, and raised their thrones, subtle changes occurred.

These gods began to be shaped by their offices.

The divine office—a force brimming with power and sacred duty—was like a vast vortex, slowly drawing gods into its current, influencing them constantly.

Like an invisible force, silently altering their thoughts, emotions, and actions.

Some gods who were once kind and compassionate before deification gradually grew cold and heartless because their offices involved slaughter.

Did the god master the office?

Or did the office shape the god?

For powerful beings who controlled their own strength, it was the former—they were masters of power.

For lucky weaklings who accidentally ascended, it was the latter.

This influence began subtly, like a slow poison eroding the god's will.

Eventually, they became puppets of their office, fully transformed into embodiments of their domain.

At that moment, even if "they" still lived, they could be declared truly dead.

"…"

At that moment, Herbert fell silent.

Because after Nena Sha spoke, he realized something—was she hinting at something by bringing this up now?

Is her current state… really a loss of her original self?

For Nenasha, what exactly was her original self? Which version truly represented her?

Was it the Holy Maiden version? Or the Demigod version?

Now that these two powerful souls have merged into one entity, is it merely a continuation of both, or a brand-new life?

These thoughts left Herbert silent, unsure what to say, unsure how to comfort Her.

"Nenasha, you..."

Just as Herbert was about to express his apology and gratitude, to sincerely thank and beg Her pardon...

The Miss Harmony, feigning melancholy, could no longer hold up the act.

She revealed her true nature.

【"Pfft! Hahaha, cough cough cough!"】

She let out an unrestrained burst of mirth, then coughed twice hard, pretending nothing had happened and continuing her performance.

【"Herbert, you heartless bastard! You don't even thank me, and now you blame me? You're truly beyond the pale!"】

She poured out her grievance with full force.

【"I'll cry for you! Ying ying ying—"】

Herbert:?

Where did this ying-ying monster come from?

Hah!

Demon!

Stop crying, or I'll crack you with my staff!

And even though this is clearly fake crying, can't you put a little effort into it?

Your crying is so phony, not a single ounce of sincerity.

You can't even bother pretending.

"Sigh... I'm such a fool, really."

Why did I ever think this thing had something weighing on its mind?

Isn't this just a Harmony God?

What subtle thoughts could it possibly have?

"... Tch."

Herbert's lip twitched; he decided he wouldn't deal with this thing today.

Cry.

I'm done with you. Cry all you want.

He understood, though—Nenasha wasn't truly heartless.

She wasn't Valentina.

And even Valentina wouldn't go this far—that'd be an insult to the Hungry Dragon.

Those thoughts, worries, and doubts about "self" certainly existed in Nenasha's heart, and they were no less intense.

Yet she had no intention of sharing them with her ally.

For Nenasha, this was her own problem—she didn't want outsiders meddling, even if that outsider was her closest and only ally.

She would find her own answer, without anyone's help.

In matters as crucial as this, she judged others by herself—she wouldn't interfere or dictate to anyone else.

After pretending to cry for a while, Nenasha grew into her role, even developing a rhythm.

【"Ying↑ ying↓ ying↑↑↑ ying~~~"】

Herbert understood: Nenasha's antics were clearly meant to mask her embarrassment...

But the problem was, she'd succeeded too well.

Listening to the fake sobs echoing in his soul, Herbert genuinely grew annoyed.

Irritated.

Finally, he gave in, surrendering helplessly.

"Stop, I said stop!"

"Alright, alright, stop crying! You're giving me a headache."

That's enough already!

【"Ying ying ying... Haha! You broke! I won this time!"】

As soon as Herbert surrendered, Nenasha fell silent, declaring victory.

Good, she won!

"Fine, you won, you won, seriously..."

Even though Nenasha had stopped faking her tears, Herbert still heard the phantom wailing in his ears—the sound like an air raid siren.

It was truly brainwashing—aaaaah—

Herbert shook his head, futilely trying to shake the noise loose.

He fell silent for a moment, then finally expressed his thanks to Nenasha.

"... Thank you."

Thank you for not interfering lightly, for respecting my will.

【"Mmm~ You're welcome!"】

The Miss Harmony gladly accepted her shy ally's gratitude, smiling with delight in the shadows.

【"You don't need to thank me again~ Just free me sooner."】

"Mm, don't worry, I'll work hard."

【"Mmm~ I believe in you. Always have."】

My still-weak mortal ally.

Try harder, grow stronger soon!

I'm already impatient to meet you.

After finishing his conversation with the Miss Harmony in his mind, Herbert shifted his main awareness back to the outside world.

During this awkward silence, the "Resistance Against Herbert Alliance" of the two monster girls had begun to crack.

As with many people's stereotypes—the collapse of an alliance usually begins from within.

Someone, clearly, lacked firm resolve.

Clearly planning to betray the alliance!

"... Gulp."

Valentina swallowed hard, staring fixedly at Herbert, lightly licking her bright red lips, her eyes brimming with unmistakable intent.

As the saying goes: a short separation makes the heart grow fonder.

Though Valentina had spent most of this time sleeping and was awake only rarely, when she awoke, she missed Herbert intensely—and now, seeing him, she felt an overwhelming warmth.

She missed him.

And there was an even more important point—she had just indulged in a satisfying meal at Svan Ni 's place.

Yes, she was full.

Valentina now found Herbert extremely tempting!

Wanted to eat him.

"..."

Herbert couldn't help but notice the Hungry Dragon girl's predatory gaze, yet he pretended not to see anything.

"Cough, cough."

He cleared his throat twice, no longer awkward, smiling warmly at the two: "Er, well... maybe you two just pretend you didn't hear anything?"

Pfft.

Freyme, hearing this shameless suggestion, spat lightly and huffed: "Dream on! If you don't explain clearly, we're not letting you off today—"

She was mid-sentence when Valentina nodded vigorously and said seriously: "Mm! Fine, I didn't hear anything!"

Freyme:?

The mermaid girl was utterly stunned, staring in disbelief at her ally.

"... Ah!!?"

????

What are you saying!!?

You—

Traitor!

(End of Chapter)